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Hundreds of seniors rally at Capitol for state funding

Jeremy AlfordCapitol Correspondent

Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 8:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 8:18 p.m.

BATON ROUGE — Senior citizens from around the state filled the Capitol building Wednesday to ask lawmakers to approve a set of bills that would give them their own department and further protect state funding for elderly affairs programs.

The legislative package sponsored by Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, includes two constitutional amendments that would ultimately require voter approval and another bill that creates a foundation for the proposed department.

The House and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced the bills to applause from one of the largest audiences gathered for a single issue so far this session.

“You have quite a following here, Rep. Harrison,” said Chairman Tim Burns, R-Mandeville. “We have people in support in the overflow rooms, in the hallways and in the galleries, and apparently they are still coming. Hundreds of people. Hundreds of cards in support.”

At one point, Burns held up a large stack of green cards filed by supporters, deeming the volume, in jest, worthy of the “Guinness Book of World Records.”

The hearing also coincided with “Senior Day” at the legislative session for councils on aging members, including representatives from Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Clad in matching green shirts, they lobbied lawmakers to reverse budgeting priorities that would shutter senior centers and reduce funding for prescription drug and disability programs.

Harrison said those budget priorities are among the many reasons why he filed House Bill 352 to create the Department of Elderly Affairs, whose proposed duties are found in several different existing departments.

He told the committee Louisiana has a growing population of seniors and the time had come to discuss how the state will address their needs.

“When I talk about our senior citizens, I’m talking about our mothers, our fathers, our relatives, our neighbors and our friends,” Harrison said. “And more importantly, the largest voting population by percentage in the state of Louisiana.”

He added other states are currently considering creating departments just for elderly affairs, and his legislation, if passed, would could become a template for others to follow.

A major sticking point for some on the committee is how Harrison’s proposal would get around the constitutional provision that allows for only 20 departments.

The Division of Administration took the position that the bill would create a 21st department, which would be unconstitutional.

But Harrison said his bill stipulates that the creation of the proposed department would be contingent upon either another department being abolished or a future constitutional amendment being adopted by voters to add in the Department of Elderly Affairs.

He said the Legislature recently studied the feasibility of merging the Department of Health and Hospitals with the Department of Children and Family Services, which could be a “potential avenue.”

Acknowledging the merger study, DCFS secretary Suzy Sonnier said it’s of “great concern” to her and added it would not save as much money as envisioned.

Harrison said creating a new department for elderly affairs is “good government” and that the debate over addressing duplications in Health and Hospitals and Children and Family Services is another matter.

“Don’t drag their problems into the senior citizens’ problems,” he said to a round of applause in the committee room.

From an operational perspective, Harrison said the governor would still be able to appoint the secretary of the proposed department, and it would still have to answer to the Legislature.

“We’re also going to use the budget we have now,” he said, referring to the various agencies that already and separately oversee elements of elderly affairs in Louisiana.

By a 5-2 vote, the committee likewise advanced Harrison’s House Bill 101, a constitutional amendment that would give the state treasurer the authority to move around money if the state budget adopted by lawmakers calls for it and the administration doesn’t oblige.

He said the administration attempted to move money out of the Office of Elderly Affairs last year, but the Legislature put the money back.

The administration, however, did not follow those directions.

“It was not done,” Harrison said.

Harrison also said the administration tried to relocate the Office of Eldery Affairs to Health and Hospitals, along with a protective services office, but lawmakers rejected that as well.

Harrison said watching the administration disassemble the Office of Elderly Affairs in recent years has been like “being nibbled to death by ducks.”

By unanimous vote, the committee also approved House Bill 102, another constitutional amendment prohibiting the Legislature’s budget bills from affecting change in other laws.

While the budget is ultimately a legislative instrument, it starts the process as a proposal from the Division of Administration and the governor reserves veto authority over the finished product.

<p>BATON ROUGE — Senior citizens from around the state filled the Capitol building Wednesday to ask lawmakers to approve a set of bills that would give them their own department and further protect state funding for elderly affairs programs. </p><p>The legislative package sponsored by Rep. Joe Harrison, R-Napoleonville, includes two constitutional amendments that would ultimately require voter approval and another bill that creates a foundation for the proposed department. </p><p>The House and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced the bills to applause from one of the largest audiences gathered for a single issue so far this session. </p><p>“You have quite a following here, Rep. Harrison,” said Chairman Tim Burns, R-Mandeville. “We have people in support in the overflow rooms, in the hallways and in the galleries, and apparently they are still coming. Hundreds of people. Hundreds of cards in support.” </p><p>At one point, Burns held up a large stack of green cards filed by supporters, deeming the volume, in jest, worthy of the “Guinness Book of World Records.”</p><p>The hearing also coincided with “Senior Day” at the legislative session for councils on aging members, including representatives from Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. </p><p>Clad in matching green shirts, they lobbied lawmakers to reverse budgeting priorities that would shutter senior centers and reduce funding for prescription drug and disability programs.</p><p>Harrison said those budget priorities are among the many reasons why he filed House Bill 352 to create the Department of Elderly Affairs, whose proposed duties are found in several different existing departments.</p><p>He told the committee Louisiana has a growing population of seniors and the time had come to discuss how the state will address their needs.</p><p>“When I talk about our senior citizens, I'm talking about our mothers, our fathers, our relatives, our neighbors and our friends,” Harrison said. “And more importantly, the largest voting population by percentage in the state of Louisiana.” </p><p>He added other states are currently considering creating departments just for elderly affairs, and his legislation, if passed, would could become a template for others to follow. </p><p>A major sticking point for some on the committee is how Harrison's proposal would get around the constitutional provision that allows for only 20 departments. </p><p>The Division of Administration took the position that the bill would create a 21st department, which would be unconstitutional.</p><p>But Harrison said his bill stipulates that the creation of the proposed department would be contingent upon either another department being abolished or a future constitutional amendment being adopted by voters to add in the Department of Elderly Affairs. </p><p>He said the Legislature recently studied the feasibility of merging the Department of Health and Hospitals with the Department of Children and Family Services, which could be a “potential avenue.” </p><p>Acknowledging the merger study, DCFS secretary Suzy Sonnier said it's of “great concern” to her and added it would not save as much money as envisioned. </p><p>Harrison said creating a new department for elderly affairs is “good government” and that the debate over addressing duplications in Health and Hospitals and Children and Family Services is another matter.</p><p>“Don't drag their problems into the senior citizens' problems,” he said to a round of applause in the committee room.</p><p>From an operational perspective, Harrison said the governor would still be able to appoint the secretary of the proposed department, and it would still have to answer to the Legislature. </p><p>“We're also going to use the budget we have now,” he said, referring to the various agencies that already and separately oversee elements of elderly affairs in Louisiana.</p><p>By a 5-2 vote, the committee likewise advanced Harrison's House Bill 101, a constitutional amendment that would give the state treasurer the authority to move around money if the state budget adopted by lawmakers calls for it and the administration doesn't oblige. </p><p>He said the administration attempted to move money out of the Office of Elderly Affairs last year, but the Legislature put the money back.</p><p>The administration, however, did not follow those directions. </p><p>“It was not done,” Harrison said. </p><p>Harrison also said the administration tried to relocate the Office of Eldery Affairs to Health and Hospitals, along with a protective services office, but lawmakers rejected that as well. </p><p>Harrison said watching the administration disassemble the Office of Elderly Affairs in recent years has been like “being nibbled to death by ducks.”</p><p>By unanimous vote, the committee also approved House Bill 102, another constitutional amendment prohibiting the Legislature's budget bills from affecting change in other laws. </p><p>While the budget is ultimately a legislative instrument, it starts the process as a proposal from the Division of Administration and the governor reserves veto authority over the finished product.</p><p>All three bills now head to the House for further consideration. </p><p>Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.</p>